In a dramatic announcement on Monday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Iran and Israel had reached an agreement to cease hostilities following nearly two weeks of intense military confrontation. Labeling the development as the formal conclusion of the “12-Day War,” Trump outlined a phased truce process aimed at gradually de-escalating the conflict and bringing stability back to a region on edge.

The statement, published via the official presidential X account, came just hours before Iran was set to implement the first stage of the ceasefire. According to the timeline, Iran would initiate a 12-hour halt in hostilities, followed by a similar 12-hour pause by Israel. Once both sides completed their respective ceasefire periods, the war would be officially deemed over.

Ceasefire Timeline: A Step-by-Step Process

Trump’s message stressed that both countries had “fully agreed” to the proposed terms. He explained that Iran would begin the truce within six hours of the announcement, followed by Israel after the 12-hour mark. After 24 hours of mutual non-engagement, the conflict would be considered officially concluded.

“Congratulations to all involved!” Trump wrote. “A complete and total ceasefire will begin in approximately six hours, once both nations have completed their final missions. Iran will begin the truce, followed by Israel after 12 hours. After 24 hours, peace will be formally recognized around the world.”

He went on to praise the leadership of both nations, applauding their resolve, restraint, and willingness to engage in diplomacy. Trump claimed that without the ceasefire, the conflict could have spiraled into a full-blown regional war lasting for years.

Iran Responds with Initial Denial, Then Confirmation

Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, Iran’s response to the announcement was measured and cautious. In the early hours of Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi released a statement through his verified X account, disputing the existence of any formal agreement. He asserted that Iran had no deal in place with Israel but would halt its military actions if the Israeli government ceased its attacks by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time.

“As we have clearly stated, Iran did not initiate this war—Israel did,” Araghchi declared. “There is no official agreement for a ceasefire at this time. However, if Israel stops its aggression by 4 a.m., we will have no reason to continue our response.”

Shortly afterward, in a follow-up post, the foreign minister confirmed that Iranian forces had ceased military operations at the designated time. He thanked Iran’s armed forces for their resilience, stating that they had remained on alert and responded to attacks until the very last minute.

While Iran’s language remained firm, the confirmation of a halt in fighting mirrored the phased ceasefire terms announced by Trump—indicating alignment in practice, even if not officially acknowledged by Tehran.

No Official Documents Yet, But De-escalation Holds

At the time of writing, no official documents or treaties had been made public. There were no reports of independent monitors or enforcement mechanisms being deployed to ensure compliance. Still, the cessation of military activity on both sides was widely viewed as a positive step toward regional stability.

Israeli government officials offered limited public comments. While confirming that the country’s military had completed its strategic objectives, they refrained from detailing any commitments tied to the ceasefire. Analysts believe this silence may be strategic, allowing Israel to maintain flexibility in case of further provocations.

Background: How the Conflict Unfolded

The 12-day conflict began following a string of escalating incidents in early June. Tensions between Israel and Iran, already simmering due to disputes over nuclear development, flared after Israeli strikes reportedly targeted Iranian military infrastructure in Syria. In retaliation, Iran launched a series of missile attacks against Israeli territory, striking cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva.

Israel responded with airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory, hitting infrastructure in Isfahan, Tabriz, and the outskirts of Tehran. The violence also drew in regional players, with proxy groups firing rockets from southern Lebanon and western Iraq, further complicating the situation.

By the end of the 12th day, both sides had suffered considerable losses. Civilian deaths were reported in multiple cities, and damage to military and civilian infrastructure was widespread. Despite the intensity of the conflict, both nations avoided targeting each other’s capitals, a move some interpret as a calculated effort to prevent total war.

Global Concerns and Diplomatic Pushback

The international community reacted with concern throughout the conflict. Several global powers, including Russia, China, and members of the European Union, issued calls for restraint. Meanwhile, the United Nations convened emergency sessions aimed at pushing for a ceasefire agreement.

Though no clear diplomatic mediation was credited with ending the fighting, observers believe that backchannel communications—possibly involving neutral countries like Oman or Switzerland—may have played a key role in brokering the peace terms that were ultimately adopted.

President Trump took full credit for the breakthrough, claiming that the United States had used its influence and military positioning in the region to pressure both sides into halting operations.

Analysts Warn of Fragile Peace

While the ceasefire held in its early hours, experts warned that without a formal agreement or third-party monitoring, the truce remained vulnerable to collapse. They noted that previous ceasefires between Israel and other adversaries, such as Hamas or Hezbollah, had broken down within days due to perceived violations.

“There’s no real enforcement mechanism in place,” noted one regional security expert. “We’re relying on both parties to act in good faith—which history tells us is never guaranteed.”

The situation is further complicated by continued tension in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, where armed groups aligned with both Iran and Israel remain active. Any misstep in these areas could reignite direct confrontation between the two nations.

Limited Airspace Openings Reflect Lingering Risk

In the aftermath of the ceasefire announcement, several Middle Eastern countries began lifting airspace restrictions imposed during the fighting. Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait all gradually resumed civilian air travel after having suspended flights due to missile threats. However, Iranian and Israeli airspace remain closed to commercial flights, and many international airlines continue to reroute traffic to avoid potential danger zones.

Flight tracking services noted an increase in aircraft returning to Gulf routes, though most airlines remain cautious. Aviation regulators have urged carriers to remain flexible and continue monitoring developments closely, especially as no binding international agreement currently secures the truce.

What’s Next? Steps Toward Lasting Stability

As both Iran and Israel observe their respective ceasefire timelines, the question now turns to what comes next. Will the pause in violence lead to renewed diplomatic engagement? Or will it simply mark a temporary reprieve before the next flare-up?

For lasting peace to take root, diplomats argue that several key steps must follow:

• Formalization of the ceasefire through a multilateral agreement.

• Deployment of neutral observers to monitor compliance.

• Engagement in indirect negotiations facilitated by trusted international actors.

• Reductions in military posturing along shared and proxy fronts.

Until such measures are in place, the truce may remain little more than a fragile understanding between two bitter rivals.

Final Thoughts: A Fragile but Welcome Pause

President Trump’s declaration brought an end—at least temporarily—to a dangerous and costly confrontation. While the road to true peace remains uncertain, the current halt in fighting provides a critical opportunity for diplomacy. The coming days will reveal whether Iran and Israel are willing to build on this momentum—or whether the world must brace for another round of conflict.